Social media has come with a lot of benefits and has help keep people closer and in touch. But you and i know that social media also came with some demerits too and has revolutionalized into something more. Lets look at some things we never knew social media does to our mental health.
1. ADDICTION
Its no longer deniable that most people are very much addicted to various social media platforms out there. Funny part is you don't realise how much addicted you've become till you attempt to stop. This is because the longer you use the Apps, the more you're emòtionally and psychologically dependent on it for expression.
2. THE FEAR OF MISSING OUT.
Prior to social media gaining much relevance, a lot of us depended on traditional sources of information such as News papers, Television, Radios etc but now we have become so comfortable with social media that we constantly need to check in, to avoid missing out on updates, favourite celebs etc. This is known as FOBO effect.
3. COMPARISM
Keeping in touch with celebrities and other people on S.M leads to constant comparism. We always fall into the trap of believing everything we see on social media as real without knowing that these celebs do these things just for the glam while they go home later to face real life problems just like you. Therefore we feel pressured and desire to accept their definition of happiness.
4. ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
Another mental problem componded by social media is anxiety and depression. This results from the pressure to act a certain way, dress a certain way or look a certain way. It result from comparison and the feeling of being a failure. It also results from the feeling of low self esteem. And also from envy, and jealousy. It gives you this crazy feeling everyone is competing with you.
5. LONELINESS
To understand this feeling resulting from social media, think of those moments you posted a picture on facebook or instagram and got just 7 likes with one comment. The feeling sucks and this makes you feel lonely and irrelevant. Except you are a celebrity or you've stayed for a while on a platform, every time you make a post, it feels like shouting in a room full of people yet no one is hearing you.